In Romans 6:1, Paul anticipates a question raised by his statement in 5:20 that “where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” Some might assume this means believers should keep sinning so that God’s grace would shine even more. Paul addresses this flawed logic with a strong rebuttal in verse 2: “Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?” This isn’t just metaphorical. He’s explaining a real change that takes place when someone becomes united with Christ.
In verses 3–4, Paul draws the reader’s attention to baptism: “Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?” Baptism is a symbol of our unity with Christ—not only in His death but also in His resurrection. “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Baptism pictures what has already happened spiritually: the death of our old life and the beginning of a new one.
Verse 5 reinforces this truth: “Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.” Paul is saying that our spiritual union with Christ changes everything. In verses 6–7, he elaborates: “We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” Death ends slavery—our old life, enslaved to sin, was executed on the cross with Christ. “For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.”
But it doesn’t stop with death. In verses 8–10, Paul affirms, “And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.” Just as Christ rose and now lives forever under God’s rule, we now live a new life: “When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God.” Our life, too, is now directed toward God and His purposes.
That’s why verse 11 urges believers, “So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.” This is a mental shift. You must count yourself differently—not a slave to sin anymore, but someone free and alive in Christ.
In verse 12, Paul commands, “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.” Then in verse 13, he writes, “Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God.” The reason? “You were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” You now serve a new master.
Verse 14 captures the freedom believers now enjoy: “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” But this raises another possible objection: Does grace give us license to sin? Paul anticipates this in verse 15: “Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not!”
Paul explains in verses 16–18 that slavery is about obedience. “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?” If you choose sin, you’re a slave to sin, which leads to death. “But thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.” He adds, “Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.”
Paul continues the analogy in verses 19–20, acknowledging that he’s using the language of slavery to help them understand. He says, “Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.” Holiness is the goal of this new life. In verse 20, he reminds them: “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.”
But what was the result of that life? Paul answers in verse 21: “And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.” In contrast, he says in verse 22: “But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.” He ends with a famous summary of these truths in verse 23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Truths and Lessons for Today
1. Baptism Is More Than a Symbol—It’s a Statement of Identity
Baptism declares that we’ve died to sin and now live for Christ. It pictures the dramatic shift in loyalty from sin to righteousness.
🡲 Application: Reflect on your baptism and what it means. Are you still living in the old house of sin, or walking in newness of life?
📖 “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised … now we also may live new lives.” (Romans 6:4, NLT)
2. Grace Is Not Permission to Sin—It’s Power to Live Right
God’s grace sets us free from sin, not free to sin. It empowers holiness, not lawlessness.
🡲 Application: Don’t abuse grace. Use it as fuel for righteousness, not as an excuse for sin.
📖 “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not!” (Romans 6:1–2, NLT)
3. You Will Serve Something—Make It Righteousness
Every person serves a master—either sin or God. You’re not truly “free” until you serve righteousness and reap its fruit: holiness and eternal life.
🡲 Application: Examine what you’re submitting to in your daily choices. Surrender to God intentionally.
📖 “Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.” (Romans 6:18, NLT)
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